Well, so far, so good! I am nearly 2 weeks into my journey back to fit, and have already seen some great results!
1. I have discovered that I can work around my schedule to fit in the gym!
2. I have been to the gym 4 times this past week, worked through the pain, and sickness to create a good habit!
3. I have been diligent with my nutritional aspect of my journey, and am eating more mindfully!
4. I am already down 6 pounds as of day 10, which is ahead of my goal!!!
I have been wondering what challenge should I tackle next?
Well, as I have stated in prior posts, I am a huge sugar addict.
I am making a goal to avoid eating sugar in it's processed form for the entire month of October!
YES, EVEN Halloween!!!
This includes; candy, cakes, cookies, white bread products, white pasta, white rice, soda, sweetened chocolate and any other processed form of this poison!
What I am allowing if fruits, natural no calorie sweeteners such as Truvia or Xylatol, raw cocoa products, sugar free jellos, puddings, and yogurts.
I will begin my challenge on October 1st and end it on November 1st!
I challenge YOU to join me on my journey! JUST DO IT!!! You don't have to be as rigid as me, do it your own way, but not matter what....DO IT!!! It's ONLY one month out of your life!
Join me and feel the difference that going without sugar WILL have on YOU!!!
Isn't this all too true???
My family LOVES home-made pizza. The problem is, even home-made pizza is quite high in calories and fat. I went on a mission to find a great, healthy substitute that my family would LOVE!!! This is tried and true and yes, the family LOVES it! I am writing this the way I make it for myself, I also have the traditional toppings available so everyone can make what they like.  Pita Pizzas (written for 1 serving)
1 Whole grain Flat Out
(I prefer Flat Out Wraps for myself, pita for kids)
Pizza sauce
Pesto sauce
Various Vegetable toppings such as:
Baby Spinach Leaves
Onions
Roma Tomatoes (sliced)
Mushrooms (sliced)
Roasted Red Peppers (diced)
1/4 C. Gorgonzola Cheese
(if you prefer other cheese, use that)
Directions:
Pre-heat oven to 350'. If using Flat bread, place flat bread on cookie sheet and spray lightly with olive oil cooking spray (skip this step for pitas). Bake for 4-5 minutes, just long enough to make it slightly crisp. Remove from oven and turn the flat bread over. Spread about 1 tsp pizza sauce and 1 T pesto sauce around on the flat bread. Top the sauce with whatever vegetables you like, then sprinkle with cheese.
Place in oven for 8-10 minutes until cheese is melted and toppings are hot. Slice and enjoy!
*This pizza version will vary in calories and fat, depending on what you use for toppings and if you use flat bread or pitas.*
As written, using Flat Out Wraps, it is approx. 200 calories for the whole pizza.
This is one pizza you can eat without guilt!!!
 I have never been into drinking, smoking or doing drugs. In fact, those things have never even appealed to me.
Yet, I still have an addiction, a chemical substance that my body craves and has withdrawals from lack of it.
This substance is my “go to” drug. It’s the one I turn to when I am stressed, sad, happy, mad, or just plain bored.
This is not a substance that one would think of as a drug, but I am learning to see it for what it is!
It is dangerous to my mind, spirit and body.
It takes control of me and puts me into a downward spiral that causes binges that can last for days, weeks and even months. The more times I go to this drug, the harder it is to break the control it has on me.
The SCARY thing is, THIS drug can be found on any supermarket, or pantry shelf.
This drug is so accessible that most people ingest it daily.
This drug is known as SUGAR!
Just a few facts about sugar I thought I would share…..
1. Sugar has NO nutritional value. All the nutrients that were in the original corn, beets, or cane are completely processed out, leaving only the sweet chemical known as sugar.
2. Sugar breaks down your body’s ability to fight infections
3. Sugar changes the makeup of collagen, leading to premature aging of the skin.
4. Sugar has very similar chemical make-up as cocaine
5. Sugar can increase risk of many cancers
6. Sugar IS addicting
7. Sugar is a leading contributor to obesity
8. Sugar contributes to multiple vitamin and mineral deficiencies in the body
9. Sugar can increase symptoms of PMS
10. Sugar can cause headaches
11. Sugar can break down the function of multiple vital organs
12. Sugar can induce cellular death
13. Sugar can cause gum disease
14. Sugar can thicken your blood making it sticky
15. Sugar can increase risk of heart disease
These are just a few of the many effects that sugar has on our bodies, minds and emotional health. I think this is one chemical I CAN live without!!!
Today I went back to the gym! I have been there a couple of times in the past week, but today, I hit the classes!
I used to be a familiar face there. I even had my "spot" on the floor, and I was well-known in my regular classes. I was very self-conscious going back to my old stomping, or should I say "stepping" grounds! I was worried I would be seen as a loser, and that everyone would think to themselves...."my, she sure gained weight!"
I suppose THAT fear is what kept me away for so long. They had watched me take my journey to health, and now to have backtracked and be heavier then when I started; it was NOT easy to walk through that door. I had to muster up a lot of courage!!!
Once the ladies got passed the shock of seeing me, it felt like the old familiar class that I loved so much. I am glad I took that step. It would have been so easy to stay home and do nothing out of fear.
We all do that sometimes, we ALLOW the fear to lead our choices.
But if we want to find success, there is only one way to find it!
You have to pass through fear because, SUCCESS lives on the other side of fear!
 "Inaction breeds doubt and fear.
Action breeds confidence and courage.
If you want to conquer fear,
do not sit home and think about it.
Go out and get busy"
~ Dale Carnegie
Come on!!! Get out there and TRY!
If you don't, you will face certain failure!
Which road do you want to take???
WEIGHT LOSS PLAN
 A man calls a company and orders their 5-day, 10 lb. weight loss program.
The next day, there's a knock on the door and there stands before him
a voluptuous, athletic, 19 year old babe
dressed in nothing but a pair of Nike running shoes
and a sign around her neck.
She introduces herself as a representative of the weight loss company.
The sign reads, "If you can catch me, you can have me."
Without a second thought, he takes off after her.
A few miles later huffing and puffing, he finally gives up.
The same girl shows up for the next four days and the same thing happens.
On the fifth day, he weighs himself and is delighted to find he has lost 10 lbs. as promised.
He calls the company and orders their 5-day/20 pound program.
The next day there's a knock at the door
and there stands the most stunning and beautiful woman he has ever seen in his life.
She is wearing nothing but Reebok running shoes and a sign around her neck that reads,
"If you catch me you can have me."
Well, he's out the door after her like a shot.
This girl is in excellent shape and he does his best, but no such luck.
So for the next four days, the same routine happens with him gradually,
getting in better and better shape.
Much to his delight on the fifth day when he weighs himself,
he discovers that he has lost another 20 lbs. as promised.
He decides to go for broke and calls the company to order the 7-day/50 pound program.
"Are you sure?" asks the representative on the phone. "This is our most rigorous program."
"Absolutely," he replies, "I haven't felt this good in years."
The next day there's a knock at the door;
when he opens it he finds a huge muscular guy standing there wearing nothing but
pink running shoes and a sign around his neck that says;
"If I catch you, you are mine!!!"
He lost 63 pounds that week!
 If I were to make a list of fitness equipment MUST HAVES, there would be ONE item!
Regardless of size, shape, limitations, age, fitness level; the item that every person should own is the FIT-BALL! Also known as a therapy ball, Swiss ball, and several other names, this ball serves many purposes.
-Stretching
-Cardiovascular workouts
-Strength and Toning
-Build KILLER Abs
-Stabilizer for weight training
-Build balance and core by using as a chair
The best part is that all you need is a FIT-BALL, and YOU !
There are many DVDs you can buy to help you learn some moves. One of my favorites for beginners is the 10 Minute Solutions Ball Workout. It's offers several options for your workout and is easy to follow and kind to your body.
You Tube also has many free video demonstrations to help you learn. You can always take a class at your local gym as well.
I have attached a video that shows a few beginner moves to get you started! Now, I'm off to do my own!
Happy workout everyone!
For most people, stretching is one of those things they KNOW they should do, but they never quite get around to doing it!
Stretching assists in maintaining flexibility, reducing injury and also, I find it's a great way to release stress from my body!
It's a great idea to stretch daily, and before and after workouts. I feel best when I start my day off with some simple stretches.
Here is a how to video on a few great Yoga stretches anyone can do!
Don't worry if you can't do them as easy as they make it look. Go at your own pace and before long, you will be doing Yoga like a pro!
WOW!!! This gal shows that it IS POSSIBLE!!!
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